AFC joins UEFA and Concacaf in opposing FIFA's private investment plan

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Friday released a statement backing UEFA and Concacaf in their opposition to FIFA's plan to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors. The AFC said the initiative, proposed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, is unlikely to achieve the broad consensus needed to proceed.

The AFC stressed that the FIFA World Cup represents the pinnacle of global football and its strength comes from the involvement of all confederations and the world's leading football nations. Any proposal that could undermine the unity and universal nature of the competition should be reconsidered, the AFC stated.

The governing body for Asian football also accused FIFA of again setting the agenda for a significant initiative without prior consultation with stakeholders. It said FIFA's failure to consult its member associations had exposed fundamental weaknesses in the organisation's consultation and decision-making processes that now need to be addressed.

The AFC further criticised FIFA for leaving confederations, national associations, and even FIFA's own decision-making bodies, including the FIFA Council, sidelined. It called on FIFA to urgently review its governance and decision-making framework to ensure that proposals of global significance are developed through proper consultation, meaningful engagement, and adequate oversight by FIFA's statutory bodies.

With the AFC joining the opposition, Infantino's plan is unlikely to receive approval from FIFA members if it is put to a vote.